Bridgerton fans left outraged over ‘infuriating’ twist in Season 3 finale: ‘I am going to stop watching’

Bridgerton fans are divided after the highly anticipated Netflix show changed the gender of a love interest to explore a strange storyline.

Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, marries John Stirling in season 3 and meets his cousin in the finale Michaela, who is Michael in the books. The two mate after John dies.

During the 30-second conversation, Francesca stutters over her words and can barely remember her own name after Michaela introduces herself.

The gender swap is a plot twist that book fans did not expect and left many disappointed.

Showrunner Jess Brownell explained the process behind the change and confirmed plans for more LGBTQIA+ representation on the show.

Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd (left), marries John Stirling in season 3 and in the finale she meets his cousin Michaela (right) – who is Michael in the books and the two become a couple after John dies

“When we started talking about queer representation in the show, we started with the discussion that this is a show about happily ever after, and that we’re not interested in queer trauma – that we really want queer joy see,” Ms. Brownell told Variety.

“And if we’re going to tell a weird story, we’d like to find a way for there to be a happily ever after.

‘You’ll see more of Michaela next season. I can’t say in what capacity, just in terms of not specifying where we’re going. But there will be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, according to the books,” she told Entertainment Weekly.

After part two of season 3 was released last Thursday, fans took to Facebook to share their thoughts — and the majority disapproved of the change.

The introduction of a same-sex couple also saddened fans as Francesca’s story touches on topics such as infertility and the problems some women often face when trying to conceive.

Francesca’s storyline is explored extensively in season 3, alongside Colin and Penelope’s love story

Francesca marries John in season 3, but after meeting Michaela she can barely remember her own name and stutters

“I’ll stop watching after season 3,” one person declared.

‘That sucks! I was so in love with the man she ends up with in the book! I was looking forward to seeing who they chose to play him! They had such great chemistry in the book,” said another.

‘This season was so boring that I had to force myself to watch. The books are so much better anyway, I would rather read the whole series again,” adds a third.

‘I’m not happy about this. Michael and Francesca’s story is one of the best in the series. So disappointing if they continue with this,” someone else wrote.

Another added: ‘This is a disappointing change; her storyline would finally give representation to women with fertility issues, a large demographic that is rarely discussed or portrayed in the mainstream.”

After part two of season 3 was released last Thursday, fans took to Facebook to share their thoughts – and the majority disapproved of the change

Francesca is played by Hannah Dodd (photo)

Others were not bothered by the decision and agreed with the change.

“I don’t see how changing the gender of an entire character isn’t already a HUGE change,” one person said.

‘That’s the great thing about a TV series, it’s an adaptation! It’s not exactly like the books, because Shonda Rhimes makes it the way she wants. If you don’t like it don’t watch and stick to the books,” said another.

Someone else wrote: ‘I find it so bizarre that people get so upset about changes like gender switching but they don’t seem to care that the core characters (like Colin who has some pretty serious anger issues and is on the limit of offensive behavior) is changed for show.’

‘I’m here for it. Does not matter what. The books form a basis for the show. They can change what they want to change,” another noted.

Those who haven’t read the books haven’t picked up on the plot twist after the quick conversation between the two characters.